DEAR ABBY: I work in an office that's made up of cubicles, so there is little privacy. After two years at this job, I have, for the most part, learned to block out background noise. However, my co-worker "Gina," who sits in the cubicle next to mine, talks to herself constantly.

This woman provides me with a running diatribe of every single task she does all day long: "Hit enter, file-save -- OK, done!" "Open new file," "Delete," etc. Her monologue goes on and on. It's extremely distracting and annoying. I have talked to my bosses more than once about it, and they've talked to Gina, but still she continues.

I feel like I'm slowly going insane. And now that I'm pregnant, my nerves are even more on edge. Her constant verbalizing has become too much to bear. What's the answer, Abby? -- GOING NUTS AT WORK IN REDDING, CALIF.

DEAR GOING NUTS: Your co-worker may not even be aware that she's talking aloud when she does it. If it's possible, move to another cubicle. If it's not, then, in the interest of your mental health, invest in a pair of earphones that can mask her monologue with "white noise" or music -- anything to block out her muttering. Pregnancy is difficult enough without stress.

DEAR ABBY: Millions of Americans are infected by an insidious virus: hepatitis C. More than 100 new cases occur each day. Most people have no signs or symptoms when this virus attacks the liver -- their internal power plant -- and it can be seriously damaged without any warning.

It is critical that anyone who has experimented with injecting drugs (even just once), snorted cocaine, had a tattoo or body piercing, or shared a razor or toothbrush at any time, to ask their doctors for the simple blood test that detects hepatitis C. The test is not routinely done during a physical exam.

Consuming alcohol is a major problem for anyone who is hepatitis C-infected. Alcohol speeds the damage to the liver. This is why it is vital that hepatitis C be identified -- so further damage to the liver can be avoided and treatment options can be discussed.

This silent disease can be stopped. The first step is to find out if you are infected and to avoid infecting others. Hepatitis C is spread through blood-to-blood contact, and while not easily spread through sex, it is possible.

We will send free information about hepatitis C to your readers if they send a self-addressed, stamped, business-size envelope to the Hepatitis Foundation International, P.O. Box 4600, Silver Spring, MD 20904. The Web site is: www.HepatitisFoundation.org.

Abby, thank you for helping your readers learn the facts and how to take control of their health. With your assistance, many lives can be saved. -- THELMA KING THIEL, CEO, HEPATITIS FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL

DEAR THELMA: According to the information I have read, 4,000 deaths are attributed to hepatitis C each year. The highest incidence of this disease is in individuals between the ages of 30 and 49. However, an estimated 240,000 children in the United States have been exposed or are already infected.

Education and early treatment can reduce the number of fatalities. A word to the wise ...

What teens need to know about sex, drugs, AIDS, and getting along with peers and parents is in "What Every Teen Should Know." To order, send a business-size, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $5 (U.S. funds only) to: Dear Abby, Teen Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included.)

DEAR ABBY: Would it be OK to ask the parents of our daughter's fiance exactly what's wrong with him? We can tell he's "not quite right."

All our daughter, "Cheryl," knows is that "Kirk" is "learning-delayed" because she overheard his father discussing it with someone else. Cheryl has not asked for further details and is wondering if Kirk's condition can be passed on to their children.

Our only experience with someone who has a learning disability is our niece, who has been advised by her doctor that she can have normal children. We are wondering if this is the case with our future son-in-law.

Should we ask? If so, how does one ask a parent what is wrong with his or her child without seeming rude or nosy? Cheryl and Kirk love each other. It's apparent how happy they are. However, genetics are an issue we feel should be discussed.

Cheryl doesn't know how to bring up the subject, and neither does her father or I. We're well aware that hurt feelings could ensue without the utmost tact. We need some answers, Abby. Thanks for any you can offer. -- IN THE DARK IN THE NORTHWEST

DEAR IN THE DARK: Since your daughter is engaged to marry this young man, any question she might have that could have an impact on her marriage is a legitimate one. Your daughter should speak up and ask her fiance exactly what the problem is. If it's possible that his "learning delay" could affect their children, a talk with his family doctor -- and possibly genetic testing -- are in order.

DEAR ABBY: It is common knowledge that your readers are the most intelligent, well-informed people in the country. They are probably more informed than some of the people we have sent to Washington, D.C.

That is the reason for this letter, Abby. I am asking you to urge your readers to vote in today's election. I am not asking you to endorse any candidate -- that wouldn't be fair to his or her opponent, or to you.

I am just asking you to remind people to get off their collective rear ends, go to the polling station, do their civic duty and VOTE.

I personally don't care who a person votes for, as long as the turnout is greater this year than in 1998, when less than 40 percent of eligible Americans exercised their constitutional right. I would rather see "my candidate" lose by a whopping majority and have a record-high turnout, than win with another record-low voter turnout.

I'm fairly certain that the candidates who are running for office this year would agree with me on that point, even if they can agree on nothing else. -- A PROUD AMERICAN VOTER, BLOOMFIELD, N.J.

DEAR PROUD AMERICAN: You asked for it -- you've got it! Readers, a person who has the right to vote and doesn't do it is no better off than a person who doesn't have that privilege. This is not the time for any American citizen to say, "Let someone else do it." The direction our country takes -- domestically and internationally -- is to a great extent determined by the people who exercise their right to vote.

So cast your vote -- today's the day!

To receive a collection of Abby's most memorable -- and most frequently requested -- poems and essays, send a business-sized, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $5 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby -- Keepers Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included in the price.)

DEAR ABBY: I am 15 years old and have a big problem. My girlfriend, "Whitney," 17, and I have been friends for a long time. Her boyfriend, "Josh," 21, broke up with her. Soon after, Josh and I started talking. I really liked him. He was cool and we had a lot of fun.

When Whitney found out Josh and I were hooking up, she got jealous. One night when I was with Josh, Whitney called my parents and told them where I was. I had told my parents I was with another girlfriend.

My father got angry and went on and on for about a week questioning me about my relationship with Josh. When I couldn't stand it anymore, I admitted we were having sex. Father called the police and had Josh arrested. He was charged with child molestation.

I told the detective I had lied about Josh and me having sex, but he didn't believe me. Josh was found guilty of statutory rape and sent to prison for five years. The court wouldn't allow me to testify.

My life is over. My former friends hate me. They call me names and write me dirty notes threatening revenge. Josh was popular and has a lot of friends.

I want to help Josh get out of prison. He did not rape me. I knew exactly what I was doing. I have had sex with boys for about two years, but my parents don't know. I'm afraid if I tell them, they'll have those other boys arrested, too.

Josh does not deserve to be in prison. What can I do to make up for what has happened because Whitney got jealous and got us into trouble? Please don't tell me to talk to a school counselor. Everyone at school hates me. -- GOING CRAZY IN TEXAS

DEAR GOING CRAZY: Regardless of your sexual history, at 21, Josh was old enough to know better. He was sneaking around with a minor -- you -- and in doing so he broke the law.

It's time for you to grow up and stop blaming others for a problem that you caused. If you won't go to a school counselor, contact a local mental health clinic and ask for teen counseling. And since there is hostility at your high school, perhaps you should consider transferring and finishing your education at another school.

DEAR ABBY: I am five months' pregnant with my second baby. At a recent family wedding, my husband's 40ish cousin came up to me and touched my stomach! No one had ever done this to me before -- and I was shocked. I instinctively "shooed" her hands away.

Well, she was offended and burst into tears. I apologized, although I thought it was very rude and that she should have apologized to me. Most of the other family members felt she had done nothing wrong.

Abby, I don't hold grudges, but my husband's family seems to. What do you say? -- MARTHA IN THE MIDWEST

DEAR MARTHA: Your husband's cousin should have asked if you minded before putting her hands on your stomach. Under the circumstances, your reaction was normal. After the baby arrives, this incident will be forgotten -- as it should be. Sometimes a dose of amnesia can have a positive effect on family relationships.

Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: "Abby's Favorite Recipes" and "More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby." Send a business-size, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $10 (U.S. funds)

to: Dear Abby -- Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included in price.)